I remember what it was like to be a teenager and I’d find out something bad happened or witness some unfortunate event. While I felt bad for whomever it happened to, more often than not I’d think the same thing,
I remember what it was like to be a teenager and I’d find out something bad happened or witness some unfortunate event.
While I felt bad for whomever it happened to, more often than not I’d think the same thing, “It would never happen to me.”
When you’re young and you have your life ahead of you, it’s difficult not to think that you’re somewhat invincible.
Unfortunately, life’s lessons can only be learned through experience. There is no shortcut or guide.
Saturday’s baseball game at Kapaa High School can serve as one of those life lessons that hopefully all the kids learned from.
A player was caught not wearing a piece of protective equipment — a cup. For those who don’t know what this is, it is worn to protect the groin area.
I have heard playing while wearing a cup is at times uncomfortable.
I’ve never played organized baseball. I wouldn’t know what it is like to play with one on, but I would think one would want to protect that which is very sensitive.
The player was caught not wearing one because he was hit in that area. Surprisingly, he did not appear fazed.
If I remember correctly, I also heard him say he’s never worn one.
He was dismissed from the game because he wasn’t wearing the necessary equipment, but was allowed to return if he’d put on the cup.
He went back in. Soon afterward, he was struck in the groin again. He felt it this time and dropped to the ground writhing in pain. Imagine how much more it would have hurt if he wasn’t wearing a cup.
Those who were at the game witnessed what had happened. Some were concerned. Others couldn’t help but laugh.
I talked to his coach afterward. He said he never knows for sure whether his players wear the cups but has to trust that they’re telling the truth because, let’s be honest, it’s not like he can check himself.
I won’t mention who this player is. The purpose of this column is not to poke fun at him.
Rather, I hope that this incident is used to teach him, his teammates and every one of these kids for that matter.
With toilet paper, you don’t wait to buy some until you need it. In this case, don’t wait to do what you have to do until you have paid the price for it.
